US Bridges

Local over Br Des Moines River

PoorPosted for load

Marion County, Iowa · 075181007 · Structure no. 000000000239640

Built
1878
147 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
600 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
21
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Br Des Moines River is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Br Des Moines River in Marion County, Iowa. It was built in 1878, so it is 147 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 21 vehicles a day, projected to reach 21 by 2043. The structure is 600 ft (182.9 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesBr Des Moines River
Location075181007
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMarion County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.31687, -92.91182
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating20 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length600 ft (182.9 m)
Longest span149 ft (45.4 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (3.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck17 ft (5.1 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21 (2022)
Projected traffic21 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Br Des Moines River built?

It was built in 1878, making it 147 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Br Des Moines River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Br Des Moines River carry?

About 21 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Br Des Moines River?

The structure is 600 ft (182.9 m) long with a longest span of 149 ft (45.4 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Br Des Moines River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.